A witness in the beating death of Derrion Albert testified in court yesterday that he saw defendant Silvonous Shannon, who was convicted of Albert's murder last month, take a flying leap and land on Albert's head. more ›

While the city came to a standstill over a certain mayoral announcement yesterday, the wheels of justice kept (slowly) turning in the ongoing Asian Carp saga. Yesterday was the first day of testimony in the lawsuit against the state of Illinois to stop the spread of the destructive species. The states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota and Pennsylvania are plaintiffs in the suit which calls for the closing of two locks in local waterways to prevent the spread of fish into Lake Michigan. more ›

Just a few minutes ago in court, after one more night of thinking it over, the defense team for former governor Blagojevich confirmed to Judge Zagel Blago will not take the stand and that they will rest their case without calling a single witness. While we await the next step in this crazy dance, entertain yourself with this list of quotes in which Blago and his team insisted he'd testify and vindicate himself. more ›

Late yesterday, former police commander Jon Burge announced he will take the stand in his own defense in his perjury and obstruction of justice trial. The announcement came at the end of the day after jurors had left the courtroom. Burge has previously invoked his fifth amendment rights in questioning about the case. As for the strategy, John Conroy says: more ›

In testimony yesterday at the trial of former Chicago police commander Jon Burge, former Chicago Police Sgt. Michael McDermott backed off claims he had previously made in grand jury testimony. Described by John Conroy - covering the trial for Vocalo - as "reluctant," McDermott backed off claims that he had seen Burge point a gun at the head of Shadeed Mu’min and put a clear typewriter cover in front of Mu'min's face to suffocate him. McDermott, who received immunity in exchanged for his testimony, insisted he was clarifying his earlier testimony. From Carol Marin and Don Moseley at NBC 5: more ›

After a few days off, the trials of former police commander Jon Burge and former governor Rod Blagojevich pick back up this morning. In the Burge case, former detective Michael McDermott may testify today for the prosecution when it's expected he'll detail seeing Burge torture a suspect into a confession by using a typewriter cover to suffocate him. While the jury has heard from three alleged victims and the transcript of a now-deceased fourth victim, McDermott is the first detective to testify that he witnessed Burge and his "Midnight Crew" physically torture suspects, in this case the October 1985 torture of robbery suspect Shadeed Mu'min; Mu'min is also expected to testify for the prosecution who expect to wrap up their case soon. more ›

Day Five of the Blagojevich trial saw the beginning of witness testimony against the former governor. First up, FBI Agent Daniel Cain explained the process behind bugging Blagojevich and others. The investigation began, according to Cain, after someone filed a report about extortion for a state board appointment, which led to Rezko, and then more information came in from lobbyist John Wyma. The Tribune's Bob Secter called Cain, "cool and deliberate and unassuming," as he methodically described the ins-and-outs of the process of monitoring 8 different phones and two bugs between October 22, 2008 and December 9, 2008. Of the 5,000 calls the FBI monitored, Cain said around 1,100 were relevant to the case. Aaron Goldstein cross-examined Cain, focusing on how the FBI must stop monitoring conversations that have no relevance to the case, emphasizing that investigators might have missed some piece of conversation that could have helped exonerate Blagojevich. more ›

Ten current and former aldermen may find themselves compelled to testify in the trial of developer Calvin Boender, a judge said yesterday. Boender faces charges of bribing former alderman Isaac “Ike” Carothers (29th) in regards to the Galewood Yards project. U.S. District Judge Robert Dow said he would likely deny a request by the City to block the testimony but admitted that the testimony itself may not be relevant. According to the Tribune: more ›

"No longer is the boogeyman a fairy tale," said Thomas Nicarico to the jury gathered at the DuPage County courtroom on Friday. more ›

Judge Kathryn Creswell has ruled that the dying words of 7-year-old Vishv Patel to his mother will be admitted in the trial of Vishv's father, Kaushik Patel. Kaushik has been charged in the November 18, 2007 attack of his two sons, Vishv and 4-year-old Om, by dousing them in gasoline and setting them on fire. Om died two months later, on January 17, 2008 and Vishv died on February 19, 2008. more ›

At a press conference on Sunday, Sen. Roland Burris told reporters he had no inappropriate contact with regards to his Senate seat with any friends or supporters of former Governor Rod Blagojevich. “I’ve always conducted myself with honor and integrity,” Burris said. “I did not donate one single dollar, nor did I raise any money, nor promise any favors of any kind to the governor.” more ›

The Illinois State Senate yesterday unanimously approved legislation that would allow the dead to testify (in addition to voting) from beyond the grave. This piece of legislation appears to help Will County prosecutors in their case against Drew Peterson, who is suspected of killing two of his wives, by admitting hearsay statements as evidence in murder trials. That means if I tell you, “I saw Chicagoist Editor-in-Chief Marcus Gilmer kill Anderson Cooper,” and I turn up dead the next day, my statement to you can be used as evidence against Marcus for the death of Cooper and myself. [Ed's note - I would never dream of ruffling a hair on Anderson's head. Hunter, on the other hand, took the last donut in the Chicagoist breakroom this morning. - M.G.] more ›